NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Kings vs Canucks
Hockey Gambling fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com.
Team Records:
Los Angeles: 46-27-9
Vancouver: 49-28-5
Tonight, 10:05pm
Sportsbook odds: L.A.: +170 +1.5 (-190) Over 5.5 (even)
Vancouver: -200 -1.5 (+165) Under 5.5 (-120)
Kings vs. Canucks
The Los Angeles Kings return to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and unfortunately will be matched up against a very talented and confident Vancouver Canucks team. While most of the Canucks know what playoff hockey is all about, most of the Kings will be getting their first taste of the post season. It goes without saying that experience, particularly in the first game could be a huge difference.
The Los Angeles Kings really struggled down the stretch. Although they went 4-3-3 in their last 10 games, only two of those victories came in regulation. The highlight of the Kings’ stretch run was an 8-3 home win against the Canucks – a game that ended a three game losing streak against the Canucks.
Despite the Kings struggles in the win column, their best players played pretty well in the final few games. Ryan Smyth recorded six points in his last six games, Dustin Brown had four points in his last two games and the young stud defensive combo of Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson each tallied five points in their last six games.
Among the struggling players were Alexander Frolov and Fredrik Modin who were pointless in their last three games. Perhaps the most notable of the strugglers was goaltender Jonathan Quick who started to show signs of fatigue on his way to a 1-3-4 record in his last eight starts. The Kings will need these players to step up and will need all hands on deck if they want to unseat the powerful Canucks.
The Vancouver Canucks will be fired up in front of a home crowd that saw the Canucks win a team record 30 times at GM Place. They are a deep and talented team that looked a tad shaky down the stretch with a 4-3-3 record. The Canucks will be looking to avenge the embarrassment of an 8-3 loss in LA and will be looking to send a message to the rest of the NHL that they are indeed for real.
There is no shortage of offensive firepower on Vancouver’s roster. Led by NHL scoring champion Henrik Sedin, the Canucks had six players that registered at least 25 goals. That’s two full forward lines that have put the puck in the net regularly.
Defensively, Vancouver is fairly deep as well. Although the Canucks do not boast the puck movers that a team like Chicago has, the defensive players fit into the Canucks system just fine. The goaltending situation however, is a factor that could be the difference in this game. Roberto Luongo has proven that he can win the big game but his recent play hardly inspires confidence. He has allowed 17 goals in his last four games.
The Vancouver Canucks rank 2nd on home ice while the Kings rank 17th on the road. I think that this will be the difference. The Canucks and their fans have been waiting for the playoffs to start since September and there is no way that they will not be fired up for a huge performance.
NHL Betting Trends:
Los Angeles is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games on the road
Los Angeles is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vancouver’s last 5 games
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver’s last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles’s last 5 games when playing Vancouver
Pick: Vancouver Canucks (See if you can wait a bit for the -200 to drop)
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BODOG.COM’S NHL HOCKEY BETTING LINES FOR TONIGHTS MATCHUPS!!!!
